Veteran finally gets to visit his childhood friend’s memorial

It was a special and emotional day for one Woodland Park veteran who was able to finally see the memorial of his childhood friend who died while serving in Vietnam.

If you’ve been to Memorial Park in Woodland Park, you may have seen it. A statue of Lance Corporal Eric Dickson. He was the only person from Teller County to die in the Vietnam War.

Steve Pflug is a Navy veteran who also served during that time. He is diagnosed with Lung cancer and has broken bones. With the help of the American Medical Response, they were able to transport him to the memorial.

When Steve was escorted down, he burst into tears, overcome with emotion. “When they brought me out of the ambulance, I just had this flood of emotions of when we were kids growing up together,” Pflug says, “Then all of a sudden 50 years later we are here doing this.”

What made the visit even more special was the dozens of community members, some even went to the same high school as Pflug and Dickson when they were there, and celebrated with him. Taking pictures and embracing hugs. Making this reunion all the more memorable.

Pflug says, “God has just given us this beautiful day and all my friends and family. It just doesn’t get any better.”